Workplace bullying is creating negative physical and psychological effects on employees and has a serious impact on the organisations’ bottom line. Workplace bullying has been related to excessive absenteeism, high employee turnover and hostile work environments. However, no recent studies on the prevalence of workplace bullying in the South African context are available. This is important because of the multicultural, multiracial composition of the South African workforce, and socio–demographic factors such as race, gender, age, education level and type of industry should be investigated to determine if differences exist with regard to the experience of workplace bullying. The personality resource, sense of coherence, should add an important element to this study, as the results could offer an important indicator for managers to change the employee’s environment in order to render the stimuli to which they are exposed more understandable, significant and manageable. In South Africa, diversity, multiculturalism, affirmative action and equal employment opportunity are words in common currency in a newly democratic country. Literature suggests that if diversity within African organisations is positively experienced, it could enhance harmony and effectiveness within that organisation. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the relationship between workplace bullying, socio–demographic characteristics, sense of coherence and diversity experiences according to the literature; 2) to determine how frequently employees in South Africa experience acts of workplace bullying; 3) to determine if there are significant differences between socio–demographic groups (including race, gender, age, education and industry) with regards to workplace bullying; 4) to determine if there are significant differences between the different types of bullying (direct, indirect, supervisor and colleague bullying) with regards to sense of coherence; and 5) to determine if there are significant differences between the different types of bullying (direct, indirect, supervisor and colleague bullying) with regard to diversity experiences. An availability sample (N = 13 911) was utilised to determine the prevalence of workplace bullying in a sample of South African employees. Frequencies were used to determine the prevalence of workplace bullying for the total sample and MANOVA was used to determine differences between the groups. The results indicated that workplace bullying is a prevalent problem in South Africa, as people experience frequent overall bullying (4% reported being often bullied; 31,1% reported being always bullied). On the socio–demographic characteristics, Blacks experienced a higher level of workplace bullying in comparison with the other race groups, and men and women experience statistically significant differences with regards to workplace bullying. It was evident that older employees experience statistically significantly lower levels of bullying, and a statistically significant difference between those employees with a secondary and tertiary education was found. It seems that the highest levels of direct bullying by supervisors occurred in the government industry, followed by the mining industry. Individuals with a higher SOC experienced lower levels of bullying compared to individuals with a lower SOC. Statistically significant differences were found on all bullying dimensions with regards to diversity experiences. Recommendations were made for future research and organisations. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Workplace bullying is creating negative physical and psychological effects on employees and has a serious impact on the organisations’ bottom line. Workplace bullying has been related to excessive absenteeism, high employee turnover and hostile work environments. However, no recent studies on the prevalence of workplace bullying in the South African context are available. This is important because of the multicultural, multiracial composition of the South African workforce, and socio–demographic factors such as race, gender, age, education level and type of industry should be investigated to determine if differences exist with regard to the experience of workplace bullying. The personality resource, sense of coherence, should add an important element to this study, as the results could offer an important indicator for managers to change the employee’s environment in order to render the stimuli to which they are exposed more understandable, significant and manageable. In South Africa, diversity, multiculturalism, affirmative action and equal employment opportunity are words in common currency in a newly democratic country. Literature suggests that if diversity within African organisations is positively experienced, it could enhance harmony and effectiveness within that organisation. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the relationship between workplace bullying, socio–demographic characteristics, sense of coherence and diversity experiences according to the literature; 2) to determine how frequently employees in South Africa experience acts of workplace bullying; 3) to determine if there are significant differences between socio–demographic groups (including race, gender, age, education and industry) with regards to workplace bullying; 4) to determine if there are significant differences between the different types of bullying (direct, indirect, supervisor and colleague bullying) with regards to sense of coherence; and 5) to determine if there are significant differences between the different types of bullying (direct, indirect, supervisor and colleague bullying) with regard to diversity experiences. An availability sample (N = 13 911) was utilised to determine the prevalence of workplace bullying in a sample of South African employees. Frequencies were used to determine the prevalence of workplace bullying for the total sample and MANOVA was used to determine differences between the groups. The results indicated that workplace bullying is a prevalent problem in South Africa, as people experience frequent overall bullying (4% reported being often bullied; 31,1% reported being always bullied). On the socio–demographic characteristics, Blacks experienced a higher level of workplace bullying in comparison with the other race groups, and men and women experience statistically significant differences with regards to workplace bullying. It was evident that older employees experience statistically significantly lower levels of bullying, and a statistically significant difference between those employees with a secondary and tertiary education was found. It seems that the highest levels of direct bullying by supervisors occurred in the government industry, followed by the mining industry. Individuals with a higher SOC experienced lower levels of bullying compared to individuals with a lower SOC. Statistically significant differences were found on all bullying dimensions with regards to diversity experiences. Recommendations were made for future research and organisations. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Submitted by Priscilla Araujo (priscilla@ibict.br) on 2016-09-29T15:03:51Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) TeseArianeMaciel.pdf: 1872486 bytes, checksum: df51da50f60b3330c562ff42e441d2ca (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-29T15:03:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) TeseArianeMaciel.pdf: 1872486 bytes, checksum: df51da50f60b3330c562ff42e441d2ca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-20 / Este estudo buscou identificar as diferenças de gênero no uso e apropriação das tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TICs) disponíveis aos usuários do programa de inclusão digital do Governo Federal, Governo Eletrônico Serviço de Atendimento ao Cidadão – GESAC, utilizando-se os dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Avaliação do Programa - PNAG. Os processos cognitivos envolvidos no aprendizado e apropriação das TICs, e sua relação direta com a inserção dos indivíduos na sociedade do conhecimento pela via da inclusão digital são abordados no capítulo 2. Para tratar da questão de gênero, o terceiro capítulo traz um panorama das conquistas femininas notadamente nos dias de hoje, quando a inclusão digital mostra-se como ferramenta de aumento da cidadania das mulheres na busca da igualdade entre os gêneros. A pesquisa analisa os dados de 8483 usuários de pontos de presença do GESAC, coletados durante a PNAG. A abrangência nacional do programa e, portanto dos dados utilizados, contemplou os diversos pontos de presença, que se encontram instalados em laboratórios de informática de escolas públicas, Pontos de Cultura, unidades militares, sindicatos, associações e organizações não-governamentais. Estes dados secundários, disponíveis em software estatístico, permitiram a realização de análises focalizando as relações entre as variáveis sociodemográficas – gênero e condições sociais – e as variáveis que visaram captar as características do uso, as finalidades de uso e as opiniões dos usuários sobre o seu próprio aprendizado. Utilizaram-se classificações de finalidades de uso da internet: aquelas que contribuem para o capital social, para o capital cultural e aquelas que têm finalidade utilitária. Os resultados mostraram equilíbrio entre os gêneros em diversos aspectos do uso e apropriação das TICs. Entretanto, também foram observadas diferenças de gênero em aspectos que podem impactar em oportunidades para as mulheres, como a liderança masculina na busca por informações sobre trabalho e no uso do dinheiro e em iniciativas que exigem independência e pro-atividade no uso das TICs, como fazer downloads e criar blogs e websites, assim como manter-se informado e utilizar a internet para o lazer. As mulheres, por sua vez se destacam no uso das TICs para tarefas que estão ligadas a papeis tradicionalmente femininos, como o cuidado com o bem estar, além de uso para educação. As atividades que mais se destacaram para o incremento do capital social foram uso de mensageiros eletrônicos e sites de relacionamento. As contribuições mais expressivas na aquisição de capital cultural foram: fazer trabalhos escolares e ler notícias, enquanto que o uso da internet para realização de cursos online ainda apresenta valores muito aquém do desejável. / This dissertation focuses on social and gender differences in use and appropriation of information and communication technology (ICT) by users of a Brazilian federal government program for digital inclusion – Governo Eletrônico Serviço de Atendimento ao Cidadão (GESAC). The literature that considers social and cognitive problems involved in ICT learning and appropriation and its consequences for participation in knowledge society are discussed. Women conquests and gender problems related to ICT use are also considered. Data analyzed here were obtained from a research project aimed at evaluating the above mentioned government program – a Pesquisa Nacional de Avaliação do Programa – carried out in 2009 all Brazilian states, and obtaining information about program users of these “Pontos de Presença” (Presence Points), installed in a large range of institutions, including public schools, non-government associations, military units, etc. Several aspects users ICT knowledge, use and opinion about the program from 8483 program users. These secondary data allowed one to explore relationships between social-demographic variables that seek to detect ICT use appropriation. Based on the literature that discusses ICT impact in society, a classification of types of ICT were utilized in the analyses which therefore aggregates ICT uses that contribute to the “cultural capital”, “social capital” and to utilitarian purposes. Although gender differences were not outstating, results obtained suggest that mem use ICT and search information in the internet more independently and in a more or-active way, as it is case of downloads and blogs and websites creation, whereas women use it more for the fulfillment of tasks characteristics of women’s social roles, as information about wellbeing and education.

No description available.

Background. Within the South African context there is a large body of research regarding the associations between maternal gestational drinking and diagnosable child FASDs. However, there remains a paucity of local research regarding the impacts of other kinds of maternal drinking behaviours (e.g. past and present maternal drinking) and related socio-demographic factors on developmentally sensitive areas of child neurocognitive functioning, such as executive functioning (EF). Methods. This study was cross-sectional in design, utilising a gender balanced sample of N=464 children between the ages of 9.00 and 15.12 (year.months) in three rural areas within the Western Cape. Information regarding maternal drinking behaviours (before, during and after pregnancy) and related socio-demographic factors was collected via structured interviews with mothers or proxy respondents. Six subtests from the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Battery (CANTAB), were used to assess three aspects of child EF namely: (1) processing speed, assessed by the MOT and RTI subtests, (2) attention, assessed by the MTT and RVP subtests and (3) memory, assessed by the SWM and PAL subtests. Findings. For all three maternal alcohol use behaviours examined, there was an apparent non-significant trend whereby children of mothers who reported alcohol use (before, during and after pregnancy) performed worse (on average) than children of mothers reporting non-alcohol use on the EF subtests. Several of the socio-demographic factors were found to act as significant predictors of subtest specific EF performance including child sex (RTI: B=.46, p<. 01; MTT: B=.05, p<.05), child age (RTI: B=.27, p<.05; MTT: B=.11, p<.01), home language (MOT: B=- .13, p<.05), maternal employment (MTT: B=-.04, p<.05) and household size (SWM: B=-1.29, p<.05). Conclusions. These study findings provide initial insights into the impacts of different types of maternal drinking behaviours and related socio-demographic factors on child EF outcomes within the context of an LMIC, South Africa.

Объектом исследования является общественная безопасность региона в условиях общества риска. Предмет исследования – управление социально-демографической безопасностью региона в условиях общества риска. Цель работы заключается в изучении социально-демографической безопасности региона в контексте общественной безопасности в условиях общества риска, оценке состояния социально-демографический безопасности и разработке рекомендаций, направленных на совершенствование системы управления социально-демографической безопасностью в Свердловской области. В работе раскрыта сущность риск-ориентированного подхода в управлении общественной безопасностью через призму теории общества риска, проведен анализ нормативно-правового регулирования социально-демографической и общественной безопасности; с помощью метода анализа статистических данных и экспертного интервью был составлен перечень угроз социально-демографической безопасности региона; проведена оценка социально-демографического положения Свердловской области; проанализирована система управления региональной общественной безопасностью; идентифицированы основные угрозы социально-демографический безопасности региона; составлен перечень критериев социально-демографической безопасности в системе общественной безопасности; предложен проект по созданию Межведомственного совета по обеспечению социально-демографической безопасности Свердловской области. / The object of the research is the public safety of the region under the conditions of a risk society. The subject of the research is the management of the socio-demographic security of the region in a risk society. The purpose of the work is to study the socio-demographic security of the region in the context of public security in a society at risk, assess the state of socio-demographic security and develop recommendations aimed at improving the management system of socio-demographic security in the Sverdlovsk region. The paper reveals the essence of the risk-oriented approach in public security management through the prism of the theory of risk society, analyzes the legal regulation of socio-demographic and public security; using the method of analysis of statistical data and expert interviews, a list of threats to the socio-demographic security of the region was compiled; an assessment of the socio-demographic situation of the Sverdlovsk region was carried out; analyzed the management system of regional public security; identified the main threats to the socio-demographic security of the region; compiled a list of criteria for social and demographic security in the public security system; a project was proposed for the creation of an Interdepartmental Council for ensuring the social and demographic security of the Sverdlovsk region.

The quest towards resolving concerns about transportation energy consumption and emissions across nations has created more interests to investigate factors responsible for households’ car ownership. While literature holds an extensive body of investigation usually compartmentalised in individual different disciplines, limited efforts have been made to promote inter-linkages of this strand of research across different disciplines. To fill this gap, this study developed an integrating Multinomial logit (MNL) model to examine the impact of some rarely-investigated and conventional explanatory variables, including: ethnicity, accommodation tenure, settlement nature, mental belief, environmental concern, geographical regions, household structure, driving licence, number of household income earners and household income, on car ownership. Analysis based on rich data sets of British Household Survey and US Consumer Expenditure Survey found not only the conventional explanatory variables to be significantly linked to the number of cars in the US and UK households, but also the rarely-investigated psychological variables were found to be significantly linked as well. As Socio-demography, Geography and Psychology impact on how people and households process information and assess market offers (e.g., products and services), this study presents findings which have beneficial implications for policymakers and transportations planners, including those who would like to alter people’s behaviour from private car ownership to public transportation use, car sellers in terms of how to identify and reach potential customers, provision of alternative forecasting approaches to car ownership scholars as well as possible consideration for general car ownership decision making. Caution should be taken when interpreting the relationship between psychological factors and car ownership since the psychological factors adopted are measure representatives from databases used with limitations in the factor structure for a representative sample of the countries’ population.

Food insecurity in South Africa is not due to a shortage of food in the country but to inadequate access to food by poor groups of individuals and households. Many people, who lost their jobs due to retrenchments or can’t find suitable jobs for various reasons, revert to street trading or other activities of the informal economy as a survival strategy. There is limited information on understanding the food security status and strategies used by street traders and their households in Durban. This study aims to understand the extent of food insecurity among street traders in terms of their access to food, the quality of food consumed and the strategies they used to cope with food shortage. A mixed research method composed of a survey, face to face interviews and observations were conducted with a sample population of 120. The findings of this study confirmed that the sector was dominated by semi-literate people who generated R2000 per month which was to be shared with an average of 4 members of their respective households. Consequently, the majority of street traders’ households lived below the poverty line, thus food insecure. Limited income compromised the quality of food consumed: energy dense food dominated their food; hence 59.2% suffered from communicable lifestyle diseases. The study recommended more studies in this field, the extension of the Isipingo census to the entire municipality and the decriminalization of street trading by the municipality in order to improve the food security situation of street traders. / Geography / M.A. (Human Ecology)

Amidst the decisive events of the 20th century - the Holocaust and the rebirth of the Jewish homeland - which impacted heavily on Jewish attitudes, emerged a broadening of religious doctrines creating diversity within Judaism. Previous insularist tendencies were replaced by revised outlooks on proselytisation, blending with the unique characteristics of South African Jewry. Clearly, local Jewish society and the Rabbinate have placed these updated perceptions high on its agenda. The inevitable mixed reactions have been reviewed in this work, which looks at the long road travelled by the convert from the viewpoint of current motivations, acceptance by the community and post conversion levels of observance. My own theory is a model encompassing the respective components of local proselytism looking at categories of converts, their motives, demands to be met and obstacles. To comprehend the contemporary position, a historical survey delved into the issue from its Biblical origins via the influences of centuries, reaching the South African scene. This inquiry investigated the development of conversion policies drawn from an evolvement of energetic Halakhic debate. These attitudes manifest themselves in archival sources from 1924, of which my analysis is the first of its kind. From these records, together with those of my own community and data available from the Cape Beth Din, the interpretative statistics thus compiled identified characteristics and motivations of applicants and procedural mechanics. This work proceeded a step further. Focus on the Durban model provided an ideal observation point for the post conversion stages. Personal knowledge of the candidates gained from my service to Durban Jewry enabled me to assess their respective adherences and absorption into the community. Furthermore, responses to a questionnaire sent to the local Jewry and interviews revealed attitudes both of Jews by birth and the converts themselves whilst added perceptions were obtained from a questionnaire sent to the Rabbis of South Africa. In the final chapter I submitted proposals and recommendations, some of which are radical. Covering the entire process of conversion this model attempts to address the future of conversions in South Africa as this is expected to remain a pivotal issue of immense momentum. / Religious Studies & Arabic / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

La transition alimentaire touche tous les pays émergents avec un développement des pathologies dégénératives liées à l'alimentation. Notre recherche visait à étudier la typologie alimentaire libanaise actuelle sous l'angle de la question suivante: le Liban a-t-il préservé son alimentation traditionnelle ou a-t-il évolué vers une alimentation occidentale ? Une pré-enquête menée au Liban en 2003, a permis d'identifier que la place des plats traditionnels dans l'alimentation libanaise reste importante de nos jours. Cependant, les outils d'enquêtes nécessaires à caractériser de manière fiable et précise les consommations alimentaires n'étaient pas disponibles. Ceci nous a conduits à développer des outils pour évaluer la part de l'alimentation traditionnelle dans la diète libanaise et à évaluer sa contribution à la couverture des besoins nutritionnels. Nous avons construit et validé un cahier de photographies de portions alimentaires, un questionnaire de fréquence alimentaire et une table de composition nutritionnelle correspondant à ces plats. Nous avons ensuite réalisé une enquête sur une sous-population représentative et conclut les points suivants :1- La population libanaise moderne a préservé une place importante à l'alimentation traditionnelle : 57% de la population libanaise consomme plus de 9 plats traditionnels par semaine, soit près de 2 plats par jour.2- Cette alimentation est caractérisée, comme dans la plupart des régions méditerranéennes, par une contribution prépondérante des fruits et légumes (42%), des céréales (34% : pain 14% ; feuilletés 5%) et des légumes secs (7%) dans la ration alimentaire.3- Le régime alimentaire libanais traditionnel est entrain d'être abandonné surtout par les hommes actifs, les étudiants et les personnes célibataires, qui passent la plupart de leur temps hors domicile et sont donc plus susceptibles de consommer une alimentation plus industrielle, indépendamment de l'âge, du niveau d'éducation et de la région de résidence.4- La population libanaise, au travers de la consommation des seuls plats traditionnels dont l'apport calorique dépasse les 75%, a des apports moyens en calories de 2047 kcal/j, des apports énergétiques moyens en glucides de 46%, en protéines de 11% et en lipides de 43% dont 10% d'AGS, 20% d'AGMI et 10% d'AGPI. Elle couvre presque tous ses besoins en vitamines et minéraux.5- La ration alimentaire libanaise présente aujourd'hui une forte tendance à évoluer vers des régimes riches en lipides au détriment des glucides. Ces derniers gardent cependant une place relativement importante dans la ration mais ont changé de nature: autrefois consommés sous forme de céréales complètes, ils le sont aujourd'hui sous forme de céréales raffinées et transformées. En conclusion, le Liban semble être le lieu d'une coexistence entre la tradition et la modernité. Une revalorisation du régime traditionnel encore très présent dans les habitudes alimentaires devrait permettre de ralentir la transition nutritionnelle et améliorer l'état de santé de la population. / All emerging countries are now subjected to a dietary transition accompanied by a development of degenerative pathologies related to human diet. Our research is aimed at investigating the current Lebanese food typology under the following theme: have Lebanon been able to preserve its local traditional diet or have it been affected by the exposure to western diet? A pre-survey administered in Lebanon in 2003, showed that the existence of the traditional dishes in the Lebanese diet remain important till date. However, the absence of reliable and precise tools to conduct surveys aiming to describe food consumptions gave us an incentive to develop such tools. The main purpose of the exercise is to determine the contribution of the traditional Lebanese food to the relative overall intake and to evaluate its contribution in covering the various nutritional needs. For this reason, we developed and validated a photographic atlas of food portions, a food frequency questionnaire and a table of food composition corresponding to the traditional Lebanese dishes. This effort was followed by a survey on a representative sub-population that suggested 5 main findings:1-The modern Lebanese population preserved an important place for the traditional food: 57 % of the Lebanese population consumes more than 9 traditional dishes per week, which means 2 dishes per day.2-This diet is characterized, as in most of the Mediterranean regions, by a dominating contribution of fruits and vegetables (42 %), cereals (34 %: bread 14 %; pastries 5 %) and legumes (7 %) in the daily food ration.3-The traditional Lebanese diet is especially absent from active men, students and the single persons, who spend most of their time out of home and may thus consume industrial food, independently of their age, educational level and the location of their residence.4-The Lebanese population, through the consumption of the only traditional dishes of which the energy intake exceeds the 75 %, has mean energy intake of 2047 kcal/day. The breakdown shows a statistical mean of carbohydrates ranging up to 46 %; 11% of proteins; 43% of lipids; 10 % of SFA, 20 % of MUFA and 10 % of PUFA. The Lebanese population covers almost all their needs in vitamins and minerals.5- The Lebanese daily food ration presents a strong trend today to evolve towards diets rich in lipids on the detriment of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates keep however a place that is relatively important in the ration but with a changed pattern: consumed in the form of wholegrain cereal in the past, they are now replaced by refined and transformed cereal. In conclusion, Lebanon seems to be the place of coexistence between the tradition and the modernity. A valorisation of the still very present traditional diet in the food habits should allow to slow down the nutritional transition and to improve the health of the population.